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Plainclothes Tootsie Mystery #1
The Arrangement
Another case has fallen onto the desk of Tootsie Carter; a female detective armed with a snub-nosed Colt .38, unmatchable wit, and a pocketful of Tootsie Rolls.
New York City, 1975
A missing wife. The seedy underbelly of the boxing world. Lace your gloves and ring the bell, PI Tootsie Carter is on the case.
When a desperate man stumbles into her office, pleading for help locating his wife, Tootsie launches into the investigation.
Following the clues, she uncovers a boxing racketeer with a deadly agenda. Can Tootsie deliver the one-two punch that brings the woman home safe? Or will more bodies fall to the mats?
New York City, 1975
A missing wife. The seedy underbelly of the boxing world. Lace your gloves and ring the bell, PI Tootsie Carter is on the case.
When a desperate man stumbles into her office, pleading for help locating his wife, Tootsie launches into the investigation.
Following the clues, she uncovers a boxing racketeer with a deadly agenda. Can Tootsie deliver the one-two punch that brings the woman home safe? Or will more bodies fall to the mats?
- GenresMystery
206 pages, Paperback
First published March 9, 2021
1 person is currently reading
37 people want to read
About the author
M. Ravenel
3 books6 followersM. Ravenel is the author of the Plainclothes Tootsie mystery series featuring a tough, snarky private eye from 1970s New York City.
When not writing, reading, or working out, Ravenel enjoys watching Golden Age hard-boiled and noir detective films.
Ravenel may sometimes be spotted wearing a signature trench coat and fedora while penning the next Plainclothes Tootsie story on a typewriter-inspired keyboard.
When not writing, reading, or working out, Ravenel enjoys watching Golden Age hard-boiled and noir detective films.
Ravenel may sometimes be spotted wearing a signature trench coat and fedora while penning the next Plainclothes Tootsie story on a typewriter-inspired keyboard.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
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May 22, 2021This was a fantastic debut. Set in 1970s NYC this novel takes us on a boxing adventure with a chase throughout the Bronx and Queens. It also transports us back in time with references to old cars and classic clothing.
Tootsie as a main character is someone who you root for because you know she is doing what she loves for a living. She bends the gender rules of the time by being her own boss. She’s smart without being ridiculously stubborn. Her supporting cast is also welcoming and endearing.
The hard boiled mystery itself was very solid and unfolded nicely. I look forward to future installations of this private eye series.
Tootsie as a main character is someone who you root for because you know she is doing what she loves for a living. She bends the gender rules of the time by being her own boss. She’s smart without being ridiculously stubborn. Her supporting cast is also welcoming and endearing.
The hard boiled mystery itself was very solid and unfolded nicely. I look forward to future installations of this private eye series.
March 25, 2021
I found this story to be a great debut novel. I became immersed into the dynamic life of Detective 'Tootsie' Carter and fully enjoyed her exploits.
The story is set in the 1970s describing a dark and seedy side of New York. The crime levels are high and the city seems on the brink of collapse. Tootsie is one strong, capable ex-cop turned Detective, and much like her idol Dick Tracey is very good at what she does.
Her character has just the right amount of sass and spirit needed to survive in her role. She clearly is passionate about bringing bad guys to justice with a hint of youth in amidst the strong wise exterior. We get the odd glimpse of some vulnerability which makes her more likeable.
The storyline is well paced and has enough intrigue, character and 70s style cop drama to keep the reader invested. I liked the side characters, they will be a fun band of misfits to follow along in future Tootise books.
I look forward to seeing what further delights are in store for her in coming novels.
The story is set in the 1970s describing a dark and seedy side of New York. The crime levels are high and the city seems on the brink of collapse. Tootsie is one strong, capable ex-cop turned Detective, and much like her idol Dick Tracey is very good at what she does.
Her character has just the right amount of sass and spirit needed to survive in her role. She clearly is passionate about bringing bad guys to justice with a hint of youth in amidst the strong wise exterior. We get the odd glimpse of some vulnerability which makes her more likeable.
The storyline is well paced and has enough intrigue, character and 70s style cop drama to keep the reader invested. I liked the side characters, they will be a fun band of misfits to follow along in future Tootise books.
I look forward to seeing what further delights are in store for her in coming novels.
April 5, 2021
I really enjoyed this book. The characters were fun, and I love all the 70's references! Tootsie's no-nonsense manner fits perfectly with the other people she grudgingly allows in her life, and I was rooting for her all the way. Definitely looking forward to more in this series!
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April 1, 2021Will be reviewed in Episode 56 of Point Blank Podcast (pointblankpodcast.com)
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May 6, 2021Mystery for the book
This was a nice change of reading , my favorite character was Roy he really wanted to take care of Detective Carter. This was a face pace read I look forward to read more from this Author.
This was a nice change of reading , my favorite character was Roy he really wanted to take care of Detective Carter. This was a face pace read I look forward to read more from this Author.
September 27, 2021
The author takes you to 1975 NYC and having lived there then I have to say she nailed the atmosphere of the times. Tootsie is a smart woman driven to emulate her hero Dick Tracy but found that sexism in the Police Department was so rampant she wasn’t going to be able to make the difference she feels compelled to effect. We go back to the days of Howard Cosell and Don King when boxing was new again but criminals were still trying to make a buck off of the athletes putting their bodies on the line. Tootsie and her friends are a terrific read and made me nostalgic for the old neighborhood.
July 25, 2021
I love books that remain true to a specific time period. They preserve history. M. Ravenel does a wonderful job of this with the jive talk and 70s pop culture references sprinkled throughout The Arrangement. Tootsie may be a Plain Jane in the looks department; however, her personality and all around bad-assness makes her anything but. She's managed to make a pretty lovable supporting character in Mitts as well. I'm very excited for book 2.
May 28, 2021
Even before the author offered her book for review, I knew I wanted to read it. Historical mysteries are among by favorites, add in a female detective in a male dominated field, and I was sold. The Arrangement is the first in M. Ravenel's A Plainclothes Tootsie Mystery series, set in 1975 New York City, and I can already say I am a big fan. In this first installment, Tootsie Carter takes on the job of finding a missing wife and soon finds herself drawn into the darker side of the boxing world, which includes murder, racketeering, and kidnapping.
Tootsie is a former police officer turned P.I., who wanted to do more than just work desk duty. She is more than capable of solving crimes and facing down criminals. She is not easily intimidated and is quite resourceful. I loved her sense of humor. And I could totally relate to her love for Tootsie Rolls (I still haven't tried a Tootsie Roll Milkshake, but I am dying to!).
M. Ravenel does a good job of putting the reader right into the time and place of the setting. Both the character's and author's love for Dick Tracy were evident throughout the mystery, which added to the noir feel to the novel. I really enjoyed reading The Arrangement, which was entertaining on many levels--from the characters to the mystery itself. I was not sure what direction the author was going to take me, but I was along for the ride every step of the way. I look forward to reading more books in the series.
Tootsie is a former police officer turned P.I., who wanted to do more than just work desk duty. She is more than capable of solving crimes and facing down criminals. She is not easily intimidated and is quite resourceful. I loved her sense of humor. And I could totally relate to her love for Tootsie Rolls (I still haven't tried a Tootsie Roll Milkshake, but I am dying to!).
M. Ravenel does a good job of putting the reader right into the time and place of the setting. Both the character's and author's love for Dick Tracy were evident throughout the mystery, which added to the noir feel to the novel. I really enjoyed reading The Arrangement, which was entertaining on many levels--from the characters to the mystery itself. I was not sure what direction the author was going to take me, but I was along for the ride every step of the way. I look forward to reading more books in the series.
September 20, 2022
This book is certainly a mystery with a difference.
I have not met another detective just like Tootsie and this feels exciting and new.
Great detective with some good sidekicks.
Story well pieced together.
Only bugbear was that at times the "language" was too over the top for me.
I have not met another detective just like Tootsie and this feels exciting and new.
Great detective with some good sidekicks.
Story well pieced together.
Only bugbear was that at times the "language" was too over the top for me.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews